Wired and Wireless Multicast Traffic Segregation by VLAN and Frequency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multicast packets cause congestion and interference on computer networks, leading to slower data transfer rates and degraded user experience, particularly in wireless networks.
Innovation Solution
Implement a system with a Wi-Fi controller that monitors stations joining and leaving multicast groups, uses IGMP-snooping enabled switches and access points transmitting over multiple frequencies, and dynamically adjusts VLAN groups and bandwidth frequencies to segregate multicast traffic based on latency and packet loss thresholds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multicast packets are transmitted over wireless networks, then content delivery to multiple receivers is achieved, but network congestion and interference increase leading to slower data transfer rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments multicast traffic from unicast traffic by creating separate VLANs for each. Switches are configured to identify multicast traffic and assign it to specific VLANs, while wireless access points are configured to transmit multicast and unicast traffic on different channels. This segmentation isolates the harmful effects of multicast traffic to dedicated segments, preventing it from degrading overall network performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts multicast traffic from the general network traffic flow by implementing dedicated multicast VLANs. The system identifies multicast packets and separates them into specific VLANs, then transmits them on dedicated wireless channels. This extraction removes the harmful congestion and interference effects of multicast traffic from the main network flow, allowing unicast traffic to maintain optimal performance.
2Speed
If access points transmit over high bandwidth frequencies, then data transfer speed is improved, but interference and congestion increase for multicast traffic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different transmission characteristics to different types of traffic. High bandwidth frequencies are allocated for unicast traffic where speed is critical, while multicast traffic is transmitted on separate channels with appropriate bandwidth characteristics. This localized optimization allows each traffic type to operate at its optimal performance level without the harmful effects of mixing them on the same channel.
Data Source
AI summary
Stations are monitored that join and leave a multicast group associated with one or more switches over a wired channel and one or more access points over a wireless channel. At least one of latency or packet loss over a threshold are detected for a specific VLAN group. Multicast traffic is segregated in response to the detection, at the one or more switches, by reassigning stations that are not associated with multicast traffic to a new VLAN group, and by at the one or more access points, reassigning stations that are associated with multicast traffic with the low bandwidth frequency and reassigning stations that are not associated with multicast traffic with the high bandwidth frequency.